Chelmsford Dog Park makes headway

Monday

Feb 24, 2014 at 2:19 PM

STAFF REPORTS

The Dog Park Advisory Committee (DPAC) received formal approval of their choice of Places, Inc. of Littleton, as a design consultant for the new public Dog Park at 54 Richardson Road.The first discussion meeting of the DPAC and consultant will be held at the end of February. The design process will include input from the North Chelmsford Water District, the Conservation Commission and public input. The next Chelmsford Dog Association (CDA) meeting will start at 7 p.m. on Feb.25 at the Police Station Community Room.A large part of how the park construction will be funded involves a private grant foundation whose program will pay up to 80-percent of the initial engineering and construction costs of the park, which is up to $250,000. This will be the biggest park the foundation has participated in, as most of its previous parks are around a half acre. The Chelmsford dog park will be 2 acres. The scope of this project will also open up opportunities for community involvement in local volunteer groups, such as the garden clubs, scout troops, school groups and others.Upcoming event highlightsThe latest in a series of restaurant-style fundraising activities: Papa Gino's on Chelmsford St. will donate 20-percent of sales to the CDA as long as atteness bring in the flyer, available on the CDA website and Facebook page, on Feb. 27, between 4 p.m.-9 p.m.The CDA is actively soliciting donations of household goods for their Yard Sale held on May 31,from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 23 Maple Road. Donations can be dropped off at 23 Maple Rd.,(across from Agway), or at the Chelmsford Dog Pound at 2 Olde North Rd. If you’re interested in being a collection site for this event, please email Vivian Merrill at cda@chelmsforddogassociation.org. Receipts for your donations are available on request, if you itemize your donations for tax purposes.Anticipated events include a potential motorcycle ride, golf tournament, concert, dog house building contest, basic obedience dog training sessions, among others. Many activities start from someone asking questions or making suggestions, such as the large dog portrait titled "Pure Joy" organized by Markus and Leslie Lewis of Antidote Art Studio last year. The portrait was displayed in the Public Library for the month of November, and is slated for a permanent home in the future Dog Park.Cash donations may be made to "Town of Chelmsford", with a note that the donation is intended for the Dog Park, and mailed to the Town Manager’s Office, 50 Billerica Rd., Chelmsford, Ma 01824. Donations of equipment for the park can be coordinated through the CDA, and would also be deductible. We have already collected a snow blower and a picnic table for the park with this initiative.More on the CDAThe CDA was established in 2009 to bring social opportunities for Dogs and their owners. Establishing a dog park has been a major goal since the group’s inception. The group will be responsible for funding any of the park’s needs and future maintenance costs. They host a wide variety of public events. CDA members have made cameo appearances on several local cable television shows, such as Town Talk, Politically Incorrect, and the The Town Manager’s Roundtable.Past events include Howl’ween, an annual dog costume show, and "Dog Training on the Common" during July & August, 2013. Future training sessions and other events are being planned.The CDA has partnered with other businesses, organizations and residents for many events, such as Walgreen’s Pharmacy to host its Annual Dog Rally. Lowell resident Amy Ingram organized a 60-plus vendor craft fair in 2012. The CDA provided the food and drink for the German Shepherd Rescue League of New England’s Annual Walk-n-Wag, which is held at the 4-H Fairground in September. Other event sponsors have included Chelmsford Animal Hospital, Lowell Humane Society, Shiny Coats Grooming, Animal Haus Pet Store, Countryside Veterinary Hospital, the Chelmsford Senior Center, Antidote Art Studio, Flatbread Pizza in Bedford, and Margarita’s Mexican restaurant in Nashua, NH.

For more in the CDA, visit www.chelmsforddogassociation.org, or go to the "Chelmsford Dog Park" Facebook page or follow them on Twitter @Chelmsford Dogs. To help promote the dog park, contact @chelmsforddogassociation.org.